Folding exercise bike

ABSTRACT

A folding exercise bike can be easily assembled and disassembled/folded for storage and/or transportation. The exercise bike can include a telescoping seat, a telescoping stem, a fold to stow handlebar and fold down locking legs. Various configurations for the exercise bike can be used. The exercise bike can include a wireless transmitter to transmit cycling data to a user&#39;s portable electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 63/038,694, filed Jun. 12, 2020, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to exercise devices. Moreparticularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a folding exercisebike that can be easily deployed for use and stored.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Exercise equipment that folds for storage is known. For example, anexercise bike can include a first section that extends from feet tohandlebars and a second section that extends from feet to a seat, withpedals on a bottom end of the second section. These conventional bikeshave a pivot between the first and second sections, allowing folding ofthe bike for storage. Such bikes, however, require substantial space,even though the footprint may be reduced by folding. Other exercisebikes may eliminate handlebars or seats, for example, to allow the pedalapparatus to be portable. While these devices are relatively portable,such devices lack features of conventional exercise bikes.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved folding exercise bikethat can store in a relatively small space that allows for portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a folding exercise bikecomprising handlebars; handlebar telescoping members having a firsthandlebar telescoping member end attached to the handlebars; a seat;seat telescoping members having a first seat telescoping member endattached to the seat; a lower frame member interconnecting a secondopposite end of the seat telescoping members and the handlebartelescoping members; a drive wheel turnable by pedals; a tensionadjuster providing resistance to rotation of the drive wheel; and aplurality of legs supporting the lower frame member on a surface, eachof the plurality of legs movable between a deployed position for use ofthe folding exercise bike, and a folded position with the legs foldedupward toward either the seat or the handlebars.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a folding exercisebike comprising handlebars; handlebar telescoping members having a firsthandlebar telescoping member end attached to the handlebars; a seat;seat telescoping members having a first seat telescoping member endattached to the seat; a lower frame member interconnecting a secondopposite end of the seat telescoping members and the handlebartelescoping members; an upper frame member interconnecting lowermostones of the handlebar telescoping members and the seat telescopingmembers; a drive wheel turnable by pedals; a flywheel turnable by thedrive wheel; a tension adjuster providing resistance to rotation of theflywheel; a plurality of legs supporting the lower frame member on asurface, each of the plurality of legs movable between a deployedposition for use of the folding exercise bike, and a folded positionwith the legs folded upward toward either the seat or the handlebars; acharge port formed in the handlebars; a battery pack; a charge cordextending inside the handlebar telescoping members and interconnectingthe battery pack with the charge port; and a retracting reel toautomatically retract the charge cord when the handlebar telescopingmembers are moved into a folded position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a folding exercise bikeaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a right side view of the folding exercise bike ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the folding exercise bike of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view of the handlebars of the foldingexercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detail view of the flywheel drive mechanism, withthe flywheel cover removed for clarity, of the folding exercise bike ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a detail view of a variable resistance mechanism ofthe folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the foldingleg assembly of the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of thetelescoping assembly usable in the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11A illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of anotherembodiment of the telescoping assembly usable in the folding exercisebike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 illustrates a detailed view of an alternate variable resistancemechanism usable on the folding exercise bike of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 illustrates electronics usable in the folding exercise bike ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 14 illustrates folding options for the folding exercise bike ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 15 illustrates a folded view of the exercise bike of FIG. 1.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description wherein illustratedembodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that theillustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way oflimitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OFINVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many carefulconsiderations and compromises typically must be made when designing forthe optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of anyapparatus, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention.A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachingsof the present invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a folding exercisebike that can be easily assembled and disassembled/folded for storageand/or transportation. The exercise bike can include a telescoping seat,a telescoping stem, a fold to stow handlebar and fold down locking legs.In some embodiments, the exercise bike, in its fully foldedconfiguration, can be sized no larger than an airline carry-on bag sizemaximum. Various configurations for the exercise bike can be used. Theexercise bike can include a wireless transmitter to transmit cyclingdata to a user's portable electronic device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a folding exercise bike 10, alsoreferred to simply as bike 10, can include a seat 12 and a handlebar 14each attached to telescoping members including seat telescoping members26, 28, 30 and handlebar telescoping members 20, 22.

A lower frame member 46 can connect lower ends of a lower seattelescoping member 26 and a lower handlebar telescoping member 20. Anupper frame member 50 can support the lower seat telescoping member 26and the lower handlebar telescoping member 20 and a desired angle. Theupper frame member 50 can also support the drive wheel 60, crank arms17, and fly wheel 62 (see FIG. 8).

A plurality of legs 36 can extend from the lower frame member 46. Thelegs are moveable between extended positions, as illustrated by leg 36,and folded positions, as illustrated by leg 38. Details of the foldingof the legs are described below.

While FIG. 1 shows two handlebar telescoping members 20, 22 and threeseat telescoping members 26, 28, 30, it should be understood that otherquantities of telescoping members may be used, depending on the heightdesired by the user. As discussed in greater detail below, handlebartelescoping member clamps 24 may be used to adjust a height of thehandlebars 14 while seat telescoping member clamps 32 may be used toadjust a height of the seat 12. A housing 18 may cover the drive wheel60 and the fly wheel 62, as discussed in greater detail below.

A tension adjuster 44 can be mounted on the handlebar 14 as best seen inFIG. 4, where a user can select a tension (via tension button 54 asshown in FIG. 7, for example) to be applied, via a tensioner 40, againstthe flywheel 62 via tension cable 42. In some embodiments, the tensioncable 42 can encase a movable cable 43 (see FIG. 9) that moves to adjusta pressure of a tensioner against the flywheel 62. Other tensionadjustment mechanisms may be utilized as well, such as a tension plate122 attached to a screw knob 120, as illustrated in FIG. 12, whereadjustment of the screw knob adjusts an amount of pressure appliedagainst the flywheel 62 by the tension plate 122. The tension cable 42may be a coiled cable that permits operation of the cable when the bikeis deployed but coils to prevent slack in the cable when the bike isfolded.

In some embodiments, the tension adjuster 44 can provide a mechanism toadjust the tension via various resistance mechanisms, such as frictionresistance and magnetic resistance. The tension button 54 can includemultiple buttons to adjust both types of resistance, such that a usercan separately adjust the amount of friction resistance and magneticresistance.

The handlebar 14, as shown in FIG. 7, can further include a deviceholder 50, a drink holder 52 and a charge port 56. The charge port 56may be any standard power port, such as a female universal serial bus(USB) port. In some embodiments, the device holder 50 can have anintegrated charging adapter designed for a particular device, wherepower for the device holder 50 can be provided by the same power supplypowering the charge port 56. Additional details regarding power suppliedto the port 56 are discussed in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drive mechanism (with the cover 18 removed) isillustrated, where the drive wheel 60 is driven by pedals 16 attached tocrank arms 17, where a pedaling motion provided by the user turns thedrive wheel 60. A belt 64 rotationally connects the drive wheel 60 to aflywheel 62, where as the drive wheel 60 is driven by the user, theflywheel 62 also turns. The flywheel 62, as known in the art, may beweighted and sized to provide a feel like a conventional bicycle beingridden by the user. A belt tensioner 66 can be used to keep tension onthe belt 64 and prevent slipping thereof.

Referring to FIG. 10, the leg folding mechanism is shown, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The leg 36 may pivotabout a pivot pin 80 that extends through a hole 84 at a proximal end ofthe leg 36 and a bracket hole 86 in a leg bracket 88 formed integrallywith the lower frame member 46. A pin connector 82 may keep the pivotpin 80 in place and prevent removal thereof. A cam 90 can be pivotablymounted on a cam pin 92 that extends through a hole 94 in the cam 90. Aspring 96 urges the cam 90 into a locked position, there the cam fitsinto either a deployed position leg lock detent 99 or into a foldedposition leg lock detent 98. The cam 90 can be moved, against the actionof the spring 96, to release the cam 90 from the detents 98, 99 topermit the leg to move between the folded position and the deployedposition. Anti-slip feet, such as rubber feet, may be disposed on theends of the legs 36 to prevent slippage of the bike during use thereof.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exemplary embodiment for the handlebartelescoping member clamp 24 is shown. The seat telescoping member clamp32 may be designed in a similar manner. Of course, other clamp designsmay be used to permit height adjustments. A clamp ring 100 can include athreaded hole 110 to receive threads 112 of a clamp knob 102. A clampbar 104 can be attached at a distal end of the threads 112, inside theclamp ring 100. When the clamp knob 102 is loosened, the clamp bar 104can fit into opening 106 on a top end 108 of the telescoping member 20,permitting telescoping member 22 (see FIG. 1) to fit and slide insidethe telescoping member 20. When a desired height is selected, the clampknob 102 can be tightened to permit the clamp bar 104 to press againstthe telescoping member 22, preventing telescoping between telescopingmembers 20, 22. Both the seat 12 and the handlebars 14 can be heightadjustable via the clamps 24, 32. The number of telescoping members 20,22 may vary to provide different degrees of height adjustment.

Referring to FIG. 11A, another exemplary embodiment for the handlebartelescoping member clamp 24 is shown. The seat telescoping member clamp32 may be designed in a similar manner. Of course, other clamp designsmay be used to permit height adjustments. A clamp ring 100A can includea threaded hole 110A to receive threads 112A of a clamp knob 102A. Aclamp bar 104A can be attached at a distal end of the threads 112A,inside the clamp ring 100A. The clamp bar 104A may be shaped to contactthe telescoping member at three locations. When the clamp knob 102A isloosened, the clamp bar 104A can fit into opening 106A on a top end 108Aof the telescoping member 20A, permitting telescoping member 22 (seeFIG. 1) to fit and slide inside the telescoping member 20A. When adesired height is selected, the clamp knob 102A can be tightened topermit the clamp bar 104A to press against the telescoping member 22,preventing telescoping between telescoping members 20A, 22. An opposingclamp bar 104B may be provided on the clamp ring 100A to extend throughan opening 106A on an opposite side of the telescoping member 20A,providing additional contact an multiple locations on the telescopingmember as the clamp knob 102A is tightened. Further, resilientlydepressible tabs 109A may be disposed on opposite sides of the clampring 100A to fit into openings 107A on the telescoping member 20A. Thesetabs 109A may fit into openings 111A on telescoping member 22 (openings111A on telescoping member 20A is shown in the figure, where similaropenings 111A are present on telescoping member 22) when the telescopingmember 20A is fully extended.

Referring to FIG. 13, a side view of the exercise bike 10 is shown withoptional electronics. Such electronics can include a battery pack 130for storing electrical energy. The battery pack 130 may be charged witha power generator 132 that can provide a charging current to the batterypack 130 when the flywheel 62 is turning. Thus, use of the bike 10 canmaintain a charge in the battery pack 130. Optionally, a port (notshown) may be provided to charge the battery pack 130 from an externalpower source.

The battery pack 130 can power a wireless transmitter 138 that canprovide communications with an external electronic device 140, such asmartphone. Data, such as time, mileage, heart rate, calories burned,resistance setting, and the like may be sent via the wirelesstransmitter 138 to the external electronic device 140. In someembodiments, the wireless transmitter 138 can include elements of aconventional power meter so that the data received can be analyzedwithin the bike itself prior to sending to the electronic device 140.Such on-board data analysis can reduce the amount of data that is sentto the electronic device 140, if desired for a particular application.

The battery pack 130 an provide power to the charge port 56, asdescribed above. A power cord 134 can extend from a retraction reel 136that can automatically take in excess amounts of the power cord 134 whenthe handlebar telescoping members 20, 22 are in the folded position.When the user deploys the handlebars 14, the power cord 134 canautomatically extend from the retraction reel 136.

The battery pack 130 may provide power to the tension adjuster 44 whichmay include a wireless transmitter to permit friction adjustment to beprovided by a remote electronic device. For example, a user is using asmartphone application with an interactive fitness bike workout that caninclude automatic friction adjustment to mimic cycling on variousslopes, for example.

Referring to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the crank arms 17 may have apivot point 140 that permits the pedals 16 to fold into a position abovethe upper frame member 50, thus reducing the width of the bike 10 in thefolded configuration. The pivot point 140 can pivot via known mechanismsand may include a lock to prevent inadvertent pivoting during use of thebike 10. The pivot point 140 can pivot via a pivot pin, a ball andsocket type joint, a pivot slide arm and channel, or the like.Similarly, in some embodiments, the pedals 16 may attach to the crankarms 17 via a pivoting connection 142 permitting the pedals to foldalong a plane of the crank arms 17, thus reducing a width of the bike 10in the folded position.

FIG. 15 illustrates the folding bike in a folded configuration with thepedals removed to create a smaller size. As described above, pedal orcrank arm folding arrangements may be provided so that folding does notrequire the removal of the pedals, for example.

In some embodiments, a transport case (not shown) can be used to housethe bike 10 in the folded configuration. As discussed above, in someembodiments, the transport case can have a size to allow it to qualifyas an airline carry-on bag. The case may include wheels to assist theuse with transport and storage. In some embodiments, the case may beentirely removed during use.

In some embodiments, including the embodiments shown in the Figures andbriefly discussed above, the folding exercise bike can include activeshocks for user comfort and less shock while riding. Further,embodiments can include interactive experiences, such as those providedwith electronic devices, displays and the like, as may be used onconventional exercise bicycles.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples andthat they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined bythe following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification the generic structure, material or acts of which theyrepresent a single species.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essentialidea of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding exercise bike comprising: handlebars;handlebar telescoping members having a first handlebar telescopingmember end attached to the handlebars; a seat; seat telescoping membershaving a first seat telescoping member end attached to the seat; a lowerframe member interconnecting a second opposite end of the seattelescoping members and the handlebar telescoping members; a drive wheelturnable by pedals; a tension adjuster providing resistance to rotationof the drive wheel; a plurality of legs supporting the lower framemember on a surface, each of the plurality of legs movable between adeployed position for use of the folding exercise bike, and a foldedposition with the plurality of the legs folded upward toward either theseat or the handlebars; and a charge port formed in an exterior surfaceof the folding exercise bike.
 2. The folding exercise bike of claim 1,further comprising a flywheel attached via a belt to the drive wheel,wherein the tension adjuster applies a variable pressure against theflywheel.
 3. The folding exercise bike of claim 2, further comprising agenerator to provide power to the charge port based on rotation of oneof the flywheel or the drive wheel of the folding exercise bike.
 4. Thefolding exercise bike of claim 3, further comprising a battery packreceiving energy from the generator, wherein the charge port receivespower from the battery pack.
 5. The folding exercise bike of claim 1,further comprising a crank arm at each side of the drive wheelconnecting the drive wheel to the pedals.
 6. The folding exercise bikeof claim 1, further comprising a retracting reel permitting a power cordto retractably extend from the retracting reel to the charge port,wherein the retracting reel takes up the power cord when the handlebartelescoping members are moved from an extended position to a retractedposition.
 7. The folding exercise bike of claim 1, further comprising awireless transmitter operable to send use data from the folding exercisebike to an external computing device.
 8. The folding exercise bike ofclaim 5, further comprising a pivot point along a length of the crankarm to permit folding of the pedals toward a central axis of the foldingexercise bike.
 9. The folding exercise bike of claim 5, furthercomprising pivot points at a connection between the pedals and the crankarm permitting the pedals to fold relative to the crank arm.
 10. Thefolding exercise bike of claim 1, further comprising a cam locking eachof the plurality of legs into either the folded position or the deployedposition.
 11. The folding exercise bike of claim 1, wherein theplurality of legs, in the folded position, extend generally parallelwith the seat telescoping members and the handlebar telescoping members.12. The folding exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the charge port isformed in the handlebars.
 13. The folding exercise bike of claim 1,further comprising an upper frame member supporting a lowermost one ofeach of the handlebar telescoping members and the seat telescopingmembers.
 14. The folding exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the tensionadjuster is mounted on the handlebars.
 15. A folding exercise bikecomprising: handlebars; handlebar telescoping members having a firsthandlebar telescoping member end attached to the handlebars; a seat;seat telescoping members having a first seat telescoping member endattached to the seat; a lower frame member interconnecting a secondopposite end of the seat telescoping members and the handlebartelescoping members; an upper frame member interconnecting lowermostones of the handlebar telescoping members and the seat telescopingmembers; a drive wheel turnable by pedals; a flywheel turnable by thedrive wheel; a tension adjuster providing resistance to rotation of theflywheel; a plurality of legs supporting the lower frame member on asurface, each of the plurality of legs movable between a deployedposition for use of the folding exercise bike, and a folded positionwith the plurality of legs folded upward toward either the seat or thehandlebars; a charge port formed in the handlebars; a battery pack; acharge cord extending inside the handlebar telescoping members andinterconnecting the battery pack with the charge port; and a retractingreel to automatically retract the charge cord when the handlebartelescoping members are moved into a retracted position.
 16. The foldingexercise bike of claim 15, further comprising a generator operable tocharge the battery pack when a user turns the drive wheel.
 17. Thefolding exercise bike of claim 15, further comprising a cam locking eachof the plurality of legs into either the folded position or the deployedposition.
 18. The folding exercise bike of claim 15, wherein theplurality of legs, in the folded position, extend generally parallelwith the seat telescoping members and the handlebar telescoping members.19. A folding exercise bike comprising: handlebars; handlebartelescoping members having a first handlebar telescoping member endattached to the handlebars; a seat; seat telescoping members having afirst seat telescoping member end attached to the seat; a lower framemember interconnecting a second opposite end of the seat telescopingmembers and the handlebar telescoping members; a drive wheel turnable bypedals; a tension adjuster providing resistance to rotation of the drivewheel, wherein the tension adjuster is mounted on the handlebars; and aplurality of legs supporting the lower frame member on a surface, eachof the plurality of legs movable between a deployed position for use ofthe folding exercise bike, and a folded position with the plurality oflegs folded upward toward either the seat or the handlebars.
 20. Thefolding exercise bike of claim 19, further comprising a charge portformed in an exterior surface of the folding exercise bike.